The threat of severe winter weather canceled this weekend's Milt Sherman Duals wrestling tournament in Greenville for the Gryphons.
The Saturday cancellation was just part of all Rocky Mount High athletic events on both Friday night and Saturday. The Gryphons home basketball games against Rose were postponed Friday night as well. No word as of yet if the wrestling tournament or the basketball games will be re-scheduled.
The grapplers will set their sights on a tough Rosewood High squad as their next opponent. Coach Jones will take his club down to RHS Tuesday, Dec. 22 to do battle starting at 6:00. Rocky Mount will try to improve on their 5-4 dual match record against the Eagles.
The Gryphons are ranked #17 overall in the East. They are the #8 3A team on the list from The Takedown Report. Above them are the teams that have bested the Gryphs this year, including Currituck, South Central and Rose. Also ranked above Rocky Mount's Grapplers are conference foes Nash Central and Northern Nash. The Gryphons will clash with both of those teams in a conference dual in early January.
The Gryphons will host the New Bern Bears wrestling team on Monday, Dec. 28 in their last match of 2009, starting at 6:00 that evening.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Rampants roll Gryphon wrestlers
Rocky Mount's wrestling squad traveled to Greenville on Wednesday and were not treated as welcomed guests by the Rampants from J.H. Rose High.
The Gryphons were bullied by the Rampants and dropped their dual match 18-53.
The Gryphs were pinned in the opening 152 pound match, defeated by tech fall in both 160 and 171 pound matches, then dropped then next three - 189, 215 & Heavyweight - by pin. Six matches in, the Rampants had a commanding 34-0 lead.
Rocky Mount did not send out a wrestler for the 112 or 145 pound matches, but Alex Knight got a forfeit victory at 130 for the Gryphons.
Freshman Mason Holt recorded the only pin of the evening for RM in the 103 match.
Junior John Earl took the 119 tilt by decision, 8-5, while senior Chandler Phillips tallied the only other Rocky Mount points on the night, winning his 135 pound match by an 8-1 margin.
Sophomore Elliot Whitehead (140) wrestled well for the Gryphons in the last match of the evening. In a back and forth battle, Whitehead came up just short while falling by a slim 8-7 decision.
The Gryphons will travel back to Greenville on Saturday, Dec. 19 to wrestle in the Milt Sherman Duals at D.H. Conley High. The team expects to take on five opponents in the all day event.
The Gryphons were bullied by the Rampants and dropped their dual match 18-53.
The Gryphs were pinned in the opening 152 pound match, defeated by tech fall in both 160 and 171 pound matches, then dropped then next three - 189, 215 & Heavyweight - by pin. Six matches in, the Rampants had a commanding 34-0 lead.
Rocky Mount did not send out a wrestler for the 112 or 145 pound matches, but Alex Knight got a forfeit victory at 130 for the Gryphons.
Freshman Mason Holt recorded the only pin of the evening for RM in the 103 match.
Junior John Earl took the 119 tilt by decision, 8-5, while senior Chandler Phillips tallied the only other Rocky Mount points on the night, winning his 135 pound match by an 8-1 margin.
Sophomore Elliot Whitehead (140) wrestled well for the Gryphons in the last match of the evening. In a back and forth battle, Whitehead came up just short while falling by a slim 8-7 decision.
The Gryphons will travel back to Greenville on Saturday, Dec. 19 to wrestle in the Milt Sherman Duals at D.H. Conley High. The team expects to take on five opponents in the all day event.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Gryphon Wrestlers fall to Pasquatank
Rocky Mount's wrestling team drove over two hours each way on Thursday to take on Pasquatank High. It took the Panthers less than an hour to get by the Gryphons, 45-36. On a night where only 2 matches made it past the first period and only one went the distance, this one was short and sweet for the Panthers.
Pasquatank took the first three matches from the Gryphs to jump out to an 18-0 lead. Rocky Mount lost the Heavyweight, 103 and 112 matches by pin before Adam McRae got Rocky Mount on the scoreboard. For the better part of two and a half periods in the 119 pound match, it looked as if Pasquatank would take a fourth consecutive match. McRae battled back late in the match and won by pin.
Pasquatank kept the pressure on the Rocky Mount squad, winning at 125 by forfeit and then by pin in both the 130 and 135 pound matches to take an almost insurmountable lead at 36-6.
Chandler Phillips and Dayshawn Taylor put the brakes on a Panther romp. Both Phillips and Taylor won by first period pins, slashing the Panther lead to 36-18.
The Gryphon hopes for a come from behind victory were snuffed out when Pasquatank took the 152 pound match by pin and the 160 match by decision to clinch a team victory and a 45-18 lead in the match.
Rocky Mount finished strong as Jeffrey Henderson took the 171 contest by pin in his first match of the year. J.K. Williamson took care of his 189 pound opponent by pin, and Nathan Barbour raised his record to 2-0 as a Gryphon with a pin victory at 215.
The Gryphons' record falls to 5-3, but there was no head hanging after this one. This was a good Panther squad and the experience going toe to toe with good wrestlers will help the young team. The Gryphons will return to the mat Dec. 16 when they travel to Greenville to take on Rose.
Pasquatank took the first three matches from the Gryphs to jump out to an 18-0 lead. Rocky Mount lost the Heavyweight, 103 and 112 matches by pin before Adam McRae got Rocky Mount on the scoreboard. For the better part of two and a half periods in the 119 pound match, it looked as if Pasquatank would take a fourth consecutive match. McRae battled back late in the match and won by pin.
Pasquatank kept the pressure on the Rocky Mount squad, winning at 125 by forfeit and then by pin in both the 130 and 135 pound matches to take an almost insurmountable lead at 36-6.
Chandler Phillips and Dayshawn Taylor put the brakes on a Panther romp. Both Phillips and Taylor won by first period pins, slashing the Panther lead to 36-18.
The Gryphon hopes for a come from behind victory were snuffed out when Pasquatank took the 152 pound match by pin and the 160 match by decision to clinch a team victory and a 45-18 lead in the match.
Rocky Mount finished strong as Jeffrey Henderson took the 171 contest by pin in his first match of the year. J.K. Williamson took care of his 189 pound opponent by pin, and Nathan Barbour raised his record to 2-0 as a Gryphon with a pin victory at 215.
The Gryphons' record falls to 5-3, but there was no head hanging after this one. This was a good Panther squad and the experience going toe to toe with good wrestlers will help the young team. The Gryphons will return to the mat Dec. 16 when they travel to Greenville to take on Rose.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
New Look Gryphons top Roanoke Rapids
Coach Jermaine Jones sent his wrestling team out on the home mat all decked out in new warm-ups and singlets Wednesday night against the Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets. It took a little getting used to for the fans, but the team took them in stride and swatted the Jackets 60-21.
Chandler Phillips drew the honor of being the first to wrestle in the new uniforms at 140. With Phillips up 6-0 late in the third period, a strange string of events unfolded, ending with the Yellow Jacket wrestler quitting the match. After some head scratching, the Gryphons were up 6-0 as Phillips won by forfeit.
Dayshawn Taylor won by pin at 145 to extend the Rocky Mount lead to 12-0. The Yellow Jackets pulled to within six by winning the 152 pound match by pin to make it 12-6 in favor of the home team. That's as close as they would get for the rest of the night.
Justin Atkinson (160) and J.K. Williamson (172) each won by pin to extend the home lead to 24-6.
The teams exchanged pins through the next three matches, with Roanoke Rapids taking the 189 and Heavyweight tilts and Gryphon freshman Nathan Barbour winning in his first varsity match at 215. Rocky Mount held the lead on the scoreboard, 30-18.
Mason Holt (103), Sidorayon Petway (112), John Earl (125) and Nick Westcott (130) each rolled off wins by pinning their opponents, while Adam McRae notched his six points for a forfeit win. The Gryphons were way up on the board, 60-18. The 'Jackets took three points by winning a 10-6 decision in the final match (135), which was the most evenly matched bout of the night.
The win gives the team a 5-2 record on the year.
The Gryphons will travel to take on Pasquatank High School Thursday, Dec 10 at 5:00. The Dec 11 match at Tarboro was cancelled.
Chandler Phillips drew the honor of being the first to wrestle in the new uniforms at 140. With Phillips up 6-0 late in the third period, a strange string of events unfolded, ending with the Yellow Jacket wrestler quitting the match. After some head scratching, the Gryphons were up 6-0 as Phillips won by forfeit.
Dayshawn Taylor won by pin at 145 to extend the Rocky Mount lead to 12-0. The Yellow Jackets pulled to within six by winning the 152 pound match by pin to make it 12-6 in favor of the home team. That's as close as they would get for the rest of the night.
Justin Atkinson (160) and J.K. Williamson (172) each won by pin to extend the home lead to 24-6.
The teams exchanged pins through the next three matches, with Roanoke Rapids taking the 189 and Heavyweight tilts and Gryphon freshman Nathan Barbour winning in his first varsity match at 215. Rocky Mount held the lead on the scoreboard, 30-18.
Mason Holt (103), Sidorayon Petway (112), John Earl (125) and Nick Westcott (130) each rolled off wins by pinning their opponents, while Adam McRae notched his six points for a forfeit win. The Gryphons were way up on the board, 60-18. The 'Jackets took three points by winning a 10-6 decision in the final match (135), which was the most evenly matched bout of the night.
The win gives the team a 5-2 record on the year.
The Gryphons will travel to take on Pasquatank High School Thursday, Dec 10 at 5:00. The Dec 11 match at Tarboro was cancelled.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Phillips Streaks to 100 Wins
Last year's Rocky Mount wrestling season witnessed 3 Gryphon teammates reach 100 career varsity wins. Francisco Alfaro did it first, on December 13, 2008, followed by Guy Williamson on January 10, 2009, and finally by Dedrick Silver on February 13, 2009.
With a first period pin in his first match at the Pierce-Davis Invitational, Chandler Phillips joined that elite club Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, faster than his three former teammates.
Phillips had his sights set on getting number 100 sometime late in his junior year, but a knee injury kept him out of 12 matches. He started out the year needing 10 wins to get the magical number. Ten matches into the new season is exactly all he needed to record number 100.
Chandler's run to 100 has included wrestling in half of the 14 weight classes, bridging the gap from 112 through 145 through his career. As a freshman he was conference champion at 112 pounds, but was bumped up to compete at 119 for a handful of matches. As a Junior he primarily competed at 125, where he was again conference champion, but also wrestled at 130 at times. Last year as a Junior, he captured his third consecutive conference crown at 135, but also bumped to 140 when needed. This year he has split time between 140 and 145.
As both a freshman and sophomore, Phillips was defeated in his state qualifying match at the regional tournament. He capped off last year with an appearance (and a win) at the NCHSAA State Individual Championships and finished within the top 10 3A wrestlers in the state at 135 pounds. He was one of only five underclassman in the 3A 135-pound bracket, and has set his goal to return as a senior.
After winning the first match at PDI Saturday, teammates held up signs from two sides of the mat, with "100" printed on them. The announcement came over the loudspeakers before he was off the mat. There were high-fives, fist bumps, hugs and pictures taken. Friends and family held up big 1-0-0 numbers from the stands. After that short celebration, Phillips was all business while winning his next two matches to extend his record to 12-0, get wins 101 and 102, and take his second first place finish in as many tournaments this year.
Witnessing 3 century winners last year, and with Phillips reaching the milestone this year, it may seem that the 100 win plateau is easier to reach that it actually is. Gryphon wrestling fans will have a while before they see another athlete reach 100, as no current senior or junior appears to have a shot at reaching the career number. But, with coach Jermaine Jones' leadership, the current crop of sophomores and freshman will know it is attainable.
- Scenes from Phillips' 100th victory match Saturday -
(photos - Nick Phillips)
(photo - Scott Phillips)
Phillips with Coach J.J Jones after career victory #100
With a first period pin in his first match at the Pierce-Davis Invitational, Chandler Phillips joined that elite club Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, faster than his three former teammates.
Phillips had his sights set on getting number 100 sometime late in his junior year, but a knee injury kept him out of 12 matches. He started out the year needing 10 wins to get the magical number. Ten matches into the new season is exactly all he needed to record number 100.
Chandler's run to 100 has included wrestling in half of the 14 weight classes, bridging the gap from 112 through 145 through his career. As a freshman he was conference champion at 112 pounds, but was bumped up to compete at 119 for a handful of matches. As a Junior he primarily competed at 125, where he was again conference champion, but also wrestled at 130 at times. Last year as a Junior, he captured his third consecutive conference crown at 135, but also bumped to 140 when needed. This year he has split time between 140 and 145.
As both a freshman and sophomore, Phillips was defeated in his state qualifying match at the regional tournament. He capped off last year with an appearance (and a win) at the NCHSAA State Individual Championships and finished within the top 10 3A wrestlers in the state at 135 pounds. He was one of only five underclassman in the 3A 135-pound bracket, and has set his goal to return as a senior.
After winning the first match at PDI Saturday, teammates held up signs from two sides of the mat, with "100" printed on them. The announcement came over the loudspeakers before he was off the mat. There were high-fives, fist bumps, hugs and pictures taken. Friends and family held up big 1-0-0 numbers from the stands. After that short celebration, Phillips was all business while winning his next two matches to extend his record to 12-0, get wins 101 and 102, and take his second first place finish in as many tournaments this year.
Witnessing 3 century winners last year, and with Phillips reaching the milestone this year, it may seem that the 100 win plateau is easier to reach that it actually is. Gryphon wrestling fans will have a while before they see another athlete reach 100, as no current senior or junior appears to have a shot at reaching the career number. But, with coach Jermaine Jones' leadership, the current crop of sophomores and freshman will know it is attainable.
- Scenes from Phillips' 100th victory match Saturday -
(photos - Nick Phillips)
(photo - Scott Phillips)
Phillips with Coach J.J Jones after career victory #100
Monday, December 7, 2009
RM wrestlers fair well at Pierce-Davis; Phillips takes top spot again
The Gryphon wrestling team traveled to Tarboro High to participate in the Pierce-Davis Invitational Tournament Saturday, along with eleven other teams. Conference foes Northern Nash and Southern Nash were there, along with area teams from Tarboro, D.H. Conley and North Pitt.
Several teams had to get up early for a long ride, including North Johnston, Pasquatank, Edenton-Holmes, Manteo, First Flight and Douglas Byrd. Each member of each team gathered with hopes of capturing an individual title in the 18th annual event.
Chandler Phillips repeated his performance of two weekends before, rolling to his second championship of the season. Phillips stood atop the podium late Saturday evening after extending his season starting winning streak to 12 matches.
Along the way, he pinned his first 140 pound opponent from Douglas Byrd High, marking his 100th varsity victory. Phillips also pinned his second opponent, from Conley, before easily out pointing his championship match foe from North Johnston 7-2 to claim the title.
(photo - Scott Phillips)
Senior Chandler Phillips won his second tournament title of the season Saturday.
Mason Holt made it to the championship match before falling to Northern Nash to claim second place honors in the 103 pound bracket.
John Earl (125) and Dayshawn Taylor (145) medaled for the Gryphons for the second time in as many tournaments, each placing third.
Sidorian Petway (112) and Chase Brewer (215) each wrestled well while placing fourth.
The Gryphons will welcome Roanoke Rapids for a home match on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:00.
(photo - Scott Phillips)
Freshman Mason Holt is one of the Gryphons' surprises so far on the young season.
Several teams had to get up early for a long ride, including North Johnston, Pasquatank, Edenton-Holmes, Manteo, First Flight and Douglas Byrd. Each member of each team gathered with hopes of capturing an individual title in the 18th annual event.
Chandler Phillips repeated his performance of two weekends before, rolling to his second championship of the season. Phillips stood atop the podium late Saturday evening after extending his season starting winning streak to 12 matches.
Along the way, he pinned his first 140 pound opponent from Douglas Byrd High, marking his 100th varsity victory. Phillips also pinned his second opponent, from Conley, before easily out pointing his championship match foe from North Johnston 7-2 to claim the title.
(photo - Scott Phillips)
Senior Chandler Phillips won his second tournament title of the season Saturday.
Mason Holt made it to the championship match before falling to Northern Nash to claim second place honors in the 103 pound bracket.
John Earl (125) and Dayshawn Taylor (145) medaled for the Gryphons for the second time in as many tournaments, each placing third.
Sidorian Petway (112) and Chase Brewer (215) each wrestled well while placing fourth.
The Gryphons will welcome Roanoke Rapids for a home match on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:00.
(photo - Scott Phillips)
Freshman Mason Holt is one of the Gryphons' surprises so far on the young season.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Gryphon Wrestlers slip by North Johnson
Rocky Mount's wrestling squad cruised to a relatively easy victory over North Johnston the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Considering they were without Falcon Invitational place winners John Earl and Dashawn Taylor the first time around, it seemed a rematch eight days later with both back in the line-up would end with similar results. But the team came out flat and listless for the most part and just slipped past a feisty Panther squad 39-36.
The two teams traded forfeits to start the evening. Rocky Mount gave up the 119-pound match, while North Johnston did not send out a wrestler at 125. With the wrestling beginning with the score tied 6-6, the Gryphons fell in five of the first six matches. Only Chandler Phillips' six points for his pin were logged onto the visitor's side of the scoreboard, and the Gryphs were down big, 12-30.
Antonio Ramirez contributed a win by pin at 171, but by the time Chase Brewer's 215-pound match rolled around, his team was down 18-36. Brewer promptly started an RM comeback with a pin victory. Xavier Hart followed Brewer's lead with another Gryphon win by pin, giving his team some hope they could still pull off a victory.
With North Johnston still holding a six-point advantage on the scoreboard, the Gryphons sent a pair of freshmen to the mat for the final two matches. Sedorian Petway (103) fought to a win by decision and Mason Holt (112) won by pin to cap off the Gryphon rally. Rocky Mount bumped their dual record to 4-2 on the season.
The team will head back to the practice mat in preparation for the Pierce-Davis Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Tarboro High School. The double-elimination, individual tournament will start around 9:00 that morning and run deep into the evening.
The two teams traded forfeits to start the evening. Rocky Mount gave up the 119-pound match, while North Johnston did not send out a wrestler at 125. With the wrestling beginning with the score tied 6-6, the Gryphons fell in five of the first six matches. Only Chandler Phillips' six points for his pin were logged onto the visitor's side of the scoreboard, and the Gryphs were down big, 12-30.
Antonio Ramirez contributed a win by pin at 171, but by the time Chase Brewer's 215-pound match rolled around, his team was down 18-36. Brewer promptly started an RM comeback with a pin victory. Xavier Hart followed Brewer's lead with another Gryphon win by pin, giving his team some hope they could still pull off a victory.
With North Johnston still holding a six-point advantage on the scoreboard, the Gryphons sent a pair of freshmen to the mat for the final two matches. Sedorian Petway (103) fought to a win by decision and Mason Holt (112) won by pin to cap off the Gryphon rally. Rocky Mount bumped their dual record to 4-2 on the season.
The team will head back to the practice mat in preparation for the Pierce-Davis Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Tarboro High School. The double-elimination, individual tournament will start around 9:00 that morning and run deep into the evening.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Rocky Mount wrestlers go 2-2 at North Pitt Duals
Fresh off the season's first individual tournament last weekend, the Gryphon wrestling team collided head to head with four different teams last Tuesday night at North Pitt High School. Rocky Mount came back home with a hard fought 2-2 team record against some very stiff competition.
The Gryphons took the win against West Brunswick in the evening's first match. After starting out with a decision loss in the 135 pound weight class, the team rolled off six consecutive wins, including four by pins, and cruised to an easy victory.
Rocky Mount went up against a traditionally strong Currituck squad in the second match. The team's youth was on display, as the inexperienced Gryphons were easily out pointed. Chandler Phillips and Chase Brewer both won by pin, but the team could only muster two other individual victories in a lopsided match.
The Gryphons got back on their feet in the third match against North Johnston High. Things didn't look good from the start, as it appeared the Currituck defeat in the previous match may have shaken the team's confidence. Digging themselves a 0-15 hole after the first three matches, the Gryphs reeled off five consecutive wins by pin and another by forfeit to streak out to a 36-15 lead. The team cruised from there to a 15 point victory.
South Central would be the final match of the night for the Gryphons and again, the more experienced team came out on top. SC was in control after the first nine matches, and RMHS was down 15-36. But the Gryphons didn't give up, battling back with two consecutive wins by decision and a win by forfeit to pull back to within striking distance, 28-36 with two matches to go.
The Gryphons would need a pin and at least a major decision in the final two matches to beat the Falcons. Phillips pulled the Gryphs to within four, 32-36 with an eye-popping 37-seconds pin in the 145 pound bout to set up the final match showdown for the win. But it was not to be on this night, as the Gryphs were pinned and sent to a 10 point defeat.
Phillips and Mason Holt paced the Gryphons with 4-0 records on the day. Phillips recorded all four victories by pin, while Holt posted two.
Brewer also recorded all of his wins by pin, going 3-1 in his matches. J.K. Willliamson recorded a pin on his way to a 3-1 tally.
Five other Gryphons posted 2-2 records.
Rocky Mount will travel to take on North Johnston on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7:00. That match will help prepare them for the season's second big tournament, as they compete in the Pierce-Davis Individual on Saturday, Dec 5.
The Gryphons took the win against West Brunswick in the evening's first match. After starting out with a decision loss in the 135 pound weight class, the team rolled off six consecutive wins, including four by pins, and cruised to an easy victory.
Rocky Mount went up against a traditionally strong Currituck squad in the second match. The team's youth was on display, as the inexperienced Gryphons were easily out pointed. Chandler Phillips and Chase Brewer both won by pin, but the team could only muster two other individual victories in a lopsided match.
The Gryphons got back on their feet in the third match against North Johnston High. Things didn't look good from the start, as it appeared the Currituck defeat in the previous match may have shaken the team's confidence. Digging themselves a 0-15 hole after the first three matches, the Gryphs reeled off five consecutive wins by pin and another by forfeit to streak out to a 36-15 lead. The team cruised from there to a 15 point victory.
South Central would be the final match of the night for the Gryphons and again, the more experienced team came out on top. SC was in control after the first nine matches, and RMHS was down 15-36. But the Gryphons didn't give up, battling back with two consecutive wins by decision and a win by forfeit to pull back to within striking distance, 28-36 with two matches to go.
The Gryphons would need a pin and at least a major decision in the final two matches to beat the Falcons. Phillips pulled the Gryphs to within four, 32-36 with an eye-popping 37-seconds pin in the 145 pound bout to set up the final match showdown for the win. But it was not to be on this night, as the Gryphs were pinned and sent to a 10 point defeat.
Phillips and Mason Holt paced the Gryphons with 4-0 records on the day. Phillips recorded all four victories by pin, while Holt posted two.
Brewer also recorded all of his wins by pin, going 3-1 in his matches. J.K. Willliamson recorded a pin on his way to a 3-1 tally.
Five other Gryphons posted 2-2 records.
Rocky Mount will travel to take on North Johnston on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7:00. That match will help prepare them for the season's second big tournament, as they compete in the Pierce-Davis Individual on Saturday, Dec 5.
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